Wednesday, 12 May 2010

Bike Mechanics 101

So i killed my DRZ. In a big way. At this point i realise that i know as much about simple engine mechanics as I do quantom physics. i.e  Naff all! The DRZ did come with the workshop manual but to be able to use that the basics need to be known.

After much forum scouring and many newbie questions, i started to form some ideas. First off was to open up the air box. I opened up the side of the air filter and muddy water poured out, not a good start. Slick mud collected in the sump. I follow the air routes and this led to the carburetor. At this point i was worried. Next step was to take out the carb, some brute force and swearing required there. With the carb out i consult the workshop manual and take it apart. Not easy for a mechanical numptie like me. Especially as all the screws were either seized or rounded off by a previous owner. Much more swearing and Dremmeling later, it was in bits. The muddy water had totally entered the carb and a silty residuew was everywhere. I even found a blade of grass in the main jet. Cause of the previous stalling possibly???? I took apart the jets, cleaned and blew out all the crap several times until i felt it was ready for re-assembly.

Perhaps i am a geek but i started to enjoy the experience until i went and looked into the engine where the carb enters. Lots more muddy residue in there. Now i was very worried. My fears confirmed when my offroader buddy started talking about hydrolock, bent bits and the world coming to an end. I drained the oil from the engine and the frame. It looked more like milk! Bearing in mind the oil was two days old, i think a gallon of pond water had got in there also. A few tests and it was not so bad. Head off the engine, feeler gauges and all seemed ok so no hydrodeath.

New oil in and clean filter, battery charged and re-fuel the bike. Try to start it and nothing.

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